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Showing posts from November, 2024

Thoughts From Billy Graham

Dear Friends, Have you ever questioned your faith? Have you ever struggled with doubts? Have you ever thought you lost your faith – are you there now? If so I wanted to share this story of when the great evangelist Dr. Billy Graham came to such a crisis point in relation to doubt in his own life – and what it led him to do. I know everyone is different, and the struggles vary, but just knowing that a man of such faith struggled so intensely with doubt (even after being an evangelist) and came to that crisis point of teetering on the edge, only to come back and remain true – can be a shot in the arm to those in the same place. This “thought,” written by his grandson Will Graham in 2014, is entitled, “The Tree Stump Prayer – When Billy Graham Overcame Doubt” and includes excerpts from Billy Graham’s autobiography, “Just As I Am” published in 1997. Enjoy. “At the midpoint of the 20th century, he had already been an evangelist with ‘Youth for Christ’ and had preached across Europe ...

Pastor Jeff's Testimony on His Near-Death Experiencce

Dear Friends, I want to start by saying 'thank you' to all who responded to last week's Thought for the Week. I do appreciate the inquiries, prayers, and expressions of concern. Yet, in light of that thought, I decided that I would follow up this week by sending you the link to the message (testimony) I shared this past Sunday about the day I thought was my last one on earth - Thursday October 17. I tried to lay it out as transparently and honestly as I could, given that some children were still in the service. The title was, “Real and Raw: Sin, Death and Redemption.” I know many will not have time (it is about an hour long). In it I share 1.) What led up to that day. 2.) The Downhill Slide. 3.) The Rescue and 4.) What God has taught me through it all. It was not easy to get through it dry-eyed (at least for me and Nancy and the kids who had to relive it through my words). But I pass it along in case some of you may find it helpful, encouraging, challenging or comf...

Thoughts From Pastor Jeff on Being "Forgotten" By God

Dear Friends, Pastor Jeff here. It has been a while. Seven weeks to be exact. For those who do not know, halfway through my vacation in September, I apparently did something that so injured my kidneys they essentially died or stopped functioning completely for weeks (neither I nor any doctor in the many hospitals I’ve been in since know what that was). Yet, to make a long story short, God has been wonderfully merciful and has slowly resurrected them from the dead, for which I am so thankful. Not totally back to where I was but I am a long way from almost going to be with him on Thursday Oct. 17. In light of all that many questions, thoughts and concerns went through my mind. And at least one result was the thought below. I do not usually send out thoughts I put together, but those of others. This time is an exception. I wanted (felt I needed) to pass this along as it was helpful to me during one of the darkest times of my life. Hopefully it will minister to someone else who may...